Fun with Food

17 Tasty Breakfasts From Around The World

Posted by Parmjit Parmar on September 25, 2014

In North America we believe starting the day off with a hearty breakfast. That's also the case in most countries around the globe. Take a look at how others cultures start their day for a surprising culinary adventure.

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Spain: Churro-y-Chocolate

<p>Almost all&nbsp;Spaniards drink coffee or hot chocolate accompanied by sweet&nbsp;pastry (churro) or piece of grilled toast&nbsp;for breakfast. Spanish hot chocolate is made very thick with milk and corn starch. Perfect for sweet lovers!</p>

toriavey.com

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Israel: Shakshuka

<p>Breakfast in kosher Israel is a meatless affair but that doesn&#039;t mean it isn&#039;t hearty. A favourite morning meal is Shakshuka, which comes from the Hebrew word &quot;leshakshek,&quot; meaning &quot;to shake.&quot; Shakshouka features poached eggs with finely chopped tomatoes, onion, green and red pepper, served with parsley, garlic, cumin, cilantro and either a red chili pepper or jalape&ntilde;o.</p><p>Breakfast comes with a bounty of spreads, including hummus, baba ghanoush and tahini, made, respectively, from chickpeas, eggplant and sesame seeds and are eaten with pita bread or with other freshly baked breads.</p>

templeofthai.com

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Thailand: Jok (Rice Porridge)

<p>In Thai cuisine a rice porridge called Jok, similar to rice congee, is often served&nbsp; for breakfast with a raw or partially cooked egg added along with minced pork or beef and chopped spring onions. The dish is optionally topped with a small version of youtiao, a deep fried bread, fried garlic, slivered ginger and spicy pickles such as pickled radish. Most first time visitors are challenged to learn that Thai breakfast offerings are very similar to other meals served during the day.</p>

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Holland: Poffertjes (Dutch Pancakes)

<p>Poffertjes, are a miniature version of the Dutch pancake. These blini-like treats are cooked in a poffertjespan, a special cast iron pan with little indentations. Like blini, poffertjes are made with buckwheat flour, which lend a nice tang and a bit of extra nutrition. Unlike blini poffertjes have yeast added into the mixture and are usually served with sweet toppings in the Netherlands!</p><p>Try these easy mini blueberry pancakes <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/easy-mini-blueberry-pancakes/14647/" target="_blank">recipe</a></strong>. </p>

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France: Croissant or Baguette

<p>As a symbol for French cuisine, it as only appropriate that the baguette is a popular way to start out the day in France. This crusty bread is sliced or torn, served with jam and butter and often dunked into a cup of coffee. Croissant’s tend to appear on French breakfast tables on the weekends, along with jam and a leisurely coffee to start the day off. </p><p>Try a Fried Egg Croissant sandwich <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/fried-egg-croissant/14747/" target="_blank">Recipe</a></strong>.</p>

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Ireland: Traditional Irish Fry-Up

<p>Guests of the many bed and breakfasts that dot the Irish countryside will likely be treated to a traditional Irish breakfast, also commonly referred to as a &quot;proper fry-up.&quot; Many of the offerings--like fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, and sliced, grilled tomato--will be familiar to American guests. Other traditional Irish breakfast fare, however, may be unfamiliar. The traditional breakfast includes servings of white pudding and black pudding, which is also called &quot;blood pudding&quot; as it is flavoured and coloured with pig&#039;s blood. The puddings, sausages made of pork meat and fat, suet, bread and oatmeal, are sliced and fried in Irish butter.</p>

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Belize: Fry Jacks

<p>Belizeans start the day off with a hearty meal that almost always includes eggs, meat, refried beans and yummy Fry Jacks! Homemade Fry Jacks are fluffy little pockets of dough and one of the first things the young are taught to cook. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;While other nations sweeten their morning fare, in Belize its hot sauce, the hotter the better, is poured on everything!</p>

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India: Aloo Paratha

<p>India&#039;s tradition of mixing a variety of ingredients makes for an interesting and tasty&nbsp;breakfast! Whether it&#039;s&nbsp;omelets and stuffed breads (chapattis) &nbsp;inspired by India&#039;s northern agricultural region, or a lighter breakfast of dosas&nbsp;from the South served with chutneys or curries. &nbsp; &nbsp;One popular favourite&nbsp;from Northern India is the Aloo Pratha, a mashed potato mix stuffed in bread and baked on a hotplate its&nbsp;served with chilled yogurt and chutney along with a glass of Lassi (yogurt-based drink). &nbsp;Breakfast is usually served mid-morning.&nbsp;</p>

traveleater.net

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China: Tang Mien (Noodles in Soup)

<p>Breakfast in China is eaten on the run, mostly procured from street vendors. &nbsp;One such favourite is Tang Mien (Chinese Noodles in a congee broth). &nbsp;Visitors to China will be highly disappointed if they expect to find &nbsp;North American favourites&nbsp;like cereals, donuts, toast or omelletes.&nbsp;</p>

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Argentina: Facturas (Pastries)

<p>In Argentina breakfast is a simple meal of Facturas (sweet rolls), a powdery sugar pastry that is filled with culce de leche or custard and quince paste. &nbsp;All in keeping with Argentina&#039;s sweet tooth obsession.&nbsp;</p>

Victor Holguin/Demand Media)

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Italy: Cornetta (Sweet Roll)

<p>Italians like the&nbsp;French eat a light breakfast. &nbsp;The French love their croissants and the Italians have thier&nbsp;close relative, the cornetto. &nbsp;Most Italians prefer to dunk their cornetto in their coffee, no jams or jellies need apply. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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Russia: Syrniki (Cheesy Pancake)

<p>Russians start the day with a hearty Zavtrak (breakfast). A Russian breakfast often will include eggs, sausage, cold cuts and cheese accompanied by bread and butter with tea or coffee. A favourite treat is the cheesy syrniki, a crispy pancake with a creamy centre and garnished with sour cream, jam, honey or applesauce.</p>

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Bolivia: Salteñas (Bolivian Empanada)

<p>Salte&ntilde;as are savoury pastries filled with beef, pork or chicken that have been mixed with a sweet spicy sauce. The pastries sometimes contain peas, potatoes and other ingredients. &nbsp;A perfect grab and go breakfast.&nbsp;</p>

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Aruba: Pastechis (Aruban Empanada)

<p>A traditional breakfast favourite in Aruba is &quot;pastechi&quot;. Very much along the lines of an&nbsp;empanada or a turnover. They are usually filled with cheese or meat.&nbsp;Pastechis are available at roadside snack trucks and huts and fast food places like&nbsp;Burger King, McDonald&#039;s, and Wendy&#039;s during breakfast hours. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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Marocco: Breads

<p>Carbs are centre stage for breakfast in Morocco. French-style baguettes,&nbsp; fresh pastries, and croissants are echoes of France&rsquo;s past occupation of the nation. Morocco&rsquo;s breakfast breads, such as msemmen, h&uuml;bz, and baghrir are best when still oven-warm, especially with amlou, a sweet spread made with honey, toasted almonds and argon oil.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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Korea: Kimchi

<p>Kimchi is very popular in Korea and is served at any time of the day alongside rice and soup. This spicy veggie dish is made with pickled vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, radish, green onion and cucumber. An egg tops off this tasty dish that is quickly growing in popularity here in North America. Try a Kimchi Quesadilla <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/kimchi-quesadilla/12588/" target="_blank">Recipe</a></strong>.</p>

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Japan: Miso Soup

<p>Miso soup is a popular in the morning for breakfast, Its usually served hot in a covered laquer bowl, keeping it steaming hot. Basic miso soup is made with dashi and miso only but seaweed ribbons, cubed tofu and sliced shitake mushrooms aswell as sliced scallions can be added. Some may add an egg for additional protein. Try a Miso Noodle soup <strong><a target="_self" href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/miso-noodle-soup/6287/">recipe</a></strong>.</p><p><em>Parmjit Parmar is a freelance travel and food writer based in Toronto. Connect with her on twitter <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ParmieP">@parmiep</a> or her blog, <a target="_self" href="http://planetblueadventure.com/">Planet Blue Aventure.</a></em></p>